Some days can be harder than others. Sometimes a rough patch can last for weeks. The stress from work or school can be sometimes too overwhelming to deal with. And when the situation calls for it, sometimes the best thing to do is to do nothing. So when you want to freeze and relax and wish to watch something to lift your spirits and give yourself hope, come back to this list of the most inspirational Hollywood movies you’re about to read.
Also read: 25 Most Inspirational Bollywood Movies Of All Time
These inspirational Hollywood movies will definitely clean your canvas of any doubts or insecurities, and give you a fresher outlook of life.
1. 127 Hours
Aron is a mountain climber with a zest for life. While on a hiking adventure, he gets trapped under a canyon in Utah, and struggles for a whole of 127 hours (more than five days) before help arrives. The movie is based on real-life events.
2. A Beautiful Mind
A gifted but introverted mathematician’s life is turned over its head when he accepts a job as a cryptographer from a mysterious man.
3. Cast Away
After his plane crashes on a deserted island, FedEx executive Chuck Noland has to come up with a way to survive. The experience proves to be a transformative journey for the protagonist.
4. Cinderella Man
During the Great Depression, a retired boxer decides to re-enter the boxing ring despite his wife’s objections. The movie is based on real-life heavy-weight champion, James J. Braddock.
5. Dallas Buyers Club
In 1985, a cowboy named Ron Woodroof is shocked when he’s diagnosed with AIDS, and is consequentially alienated by his family and friends. Ron discovers an alternative medicine that hasn’t been approved by FDA for AIDS yet. When the drug works well for him, he decides to smuggle it and sell it to people from the LGBTQ+ community who need the drug.
6. Dead Poets Society
John Keating is a progressive teacher who uses unconventional methods to teach. He inspires his students to break free of societal norms and do what their heart says.
7. Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is a man with a low IQ who despite suffering multiple misfortunes has an unbreakable spirit. He often finds himself amid historical events of America, and in the present wants to reunite with the love of his life, Jenny.
8. Freedom Writers
A young teacher named Erin is tasked to teach a group of at-risk students who hate one another. She decides to teach them a lesson in unity, and inspire them to pursue education after graduating high school.
9. Goodwill Hunting
Will Hunting, a janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a gifted genius who can solve any mathematical problem he’s given. However, he needs mental counselling for some deep-seated issues.
10. Into The Wild
Christopher McCandless is a top student from Emory University who gives away all his earthly possessions after becoming disillusioned with life. He moves into the wild, living in nature, meeting many people along the way who change his life.
11. Invincible
A financially struggling man is mentally overwhelmed when his wife decides to divorce him. However, when he joins a football team called Philadelphia Eagles, his life changes for the better. The movie is based on the real-life story of footballer Vince Papale.
12. Erin Brockovich
A single mother starts a new job at a law firm and discovers that a popular company is poisoning a city’s water with pollutants. She soon finds herself becoming an activist for the city’s people, fighting for their right to clean water. Based on the real life-story of American acitivist Erin Brockovich, its one of the most inspirational Hollywood movies you can watch.
13. Life Of PI
Pi Patel must fight against all odds to survive in a lifeboat in the middle of the sea. What makes things worse is he’s accompanied by a Bengal tiger and a hyena.
14. Million Dollar Baby
Frankie Dunn is an emotionally distant boxing trainer who’s approached by a young woman who wants to become a professional boxer.
15. Moneyball
Billy Beane decides to assemble a baseball team on a small budget using the unconventional Sabermetrics, despite opposition from various people.
16. October Sky
Based on the true-life story of Homer H. Hickam, October Sky follows his story as a young man who becomes inspired by the Sputnik launch to build a rocket despite his humble background.
17. Rocky
Rocky is a small-time boxer who impulsively jumps into the boxing ring to fight with heavyweight champion Apollo Creed.
18. Seven Pounds
An IRS agent named James Thomas feels guilty of causing an incident that killed seven people, including the love of his life. He decides to embark on a journey that will change the lives of seven strangers.
19. The Blind Side
An African-American boy with a learning disability is adopted by a white family that helps him overcome his insecurities.
20. The Intouchables
A paraplegic French nobleman hires a black man as a helper, forming an unlikely companionship with him.
21. The King’s Speech
After his older brother abdicates the throne to marry a divorcee, Bertie is unexpectedly made king. As King George VI, he must overcome his stammer to address the people of the nation as World War II approaches.
22. The Pursuit Of Happyness
After he loses his life’s earnings in a business model that doesn’t take off, Chris accepts an unpaid internship while supporting his child, in hopes that he will get a job at the end of the internship.
23. The Shawshank Redemption
Two men develop an unusual friendship after spending several years together at the prison.
24. The Theory Of Everything
Based on the story of world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, the movie offers insight to the physicist’s life after he learns that he only has two years to live, but continues to pursue science with a zeal.
25. Warrior
A young man returns home and gets trained in martial arts from his father for a competition. However, the competition puts him against his own estranged brother.
Now that you have read our list of the most inspirational Hollywood movies, we hope you find yourself a good spot and warm cup of coffee whenever you decide to watch one of these movies and de-stress.